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The Institute of Directors is supporting calls from the OECD for the UK to loosen immigration controls and ease quotas on company-sponsored visas for non-EU immigration.

Simon Walker, Director General of the IoD said:

“Seeking to reduce net migration with draconian limits on skilled migrants from non-EU countries will be seen as one of this government’s greatest mistakes. The OECD is absolutely right that now is the time to raise the limit of 20,700 visas that can be issued to non-EU workers each year.

“From nimble tech start-ups to the boardrooms of our mid-sized companies, easy access to international talent is essential and the fact is that the current limit on non-EU visas is holding back growth. Allowing businesses to hire from an international pool of mobile, talented workers will help address the UK’s lagging productivity while filling vital skills gaps.

“When it comes to immigration, politics has won out for too long. The OECD is right, and it’s time to loosen our restrictive and expensive immigration controls.”